Missionary To Planned Parenthood?

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From the Institute for Religion and Democracy article entitled "United Methodist "Missionary" is Planned Parenthood Staffer":

In its 2004-2005 Biennial Report, the missions board of the United Methodist Church reported a total of 904 missionaries affiliated with the board.

However, it would be a mistake to assume that all 904 individuals are engaged in traditional Christian missions work.

One example is Susan Burgess.  According to the website of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), the “ministry” to which she is commissioned by the GBGM’s deaconess program is to be an administrative assistant at a Northern California affiliate of Planned Parenthood.

Few United Methodists would agree that secretarial work for America’s largest abortion provider qualifies as Christian missionary service.

Even aside from moral qualms about abortion, there is much about Planned Parenthood that most United Methodists would find quite objectionable.

Like its parent body, Planned Parenthood-Shasta Diablo (where Burgess works) is very involved in far-left political activism. Last year, it lobbied in favor of a bill to “legalize same-sex marriage,” in blatant opposition to historic United Methodist Church teachings on marriage that have been affirmed by growing margins at the last few General Conferences. It also seeks to defend the legality of “aborting” infants who are already partially born, a practice condemned by the United Methodist Social Principles. Other political activities of Burgess’s employer include maintaining an “Action Fund” to help elect politicians who oppose any restriction on abortion and generating opposition to a proposed ballot initiative that would require its clinics to notify the parents of minor girls before performing abortion surgery on her.

Obviously, Planned Parenthood can hold whatever views it wants -- regardless of how vile. Equally obviously, the Methodist Church can support Planned Parenthood if it finds its goals to be laudable. But isn't this a bit of a stretch to list the people it sends to help them as missionaries? Missionaries in what way? I'd like to know.

Comments

Siamang said…
Did you ask her?

Her email address is in the link.
9/15/2006 02:15:00 PM
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